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αὐτοὺς -- νόμοις. In issuing their commands, the rulers will either themselves obey the laws (i.e. issue such orders as the laws direct) or act in accordance with the spirit of the laws: see next note. αὐτούς=ipsos sc. as well as τοὺς ἀρχομένους. The reading αὐτοῖς (K and Ficinus) is intrinsically good, and may be right: for it accentuates the contrast between cases prescribed for by actual law, and such as are left to the rulers' discretion. But there is hardly sufficient ground for deserting A. μιμουμένους: sc. τοὺς νόμους. In matters not actually prescribed for by legislative enactment, the rulers will ‘imitate,’ i.e. will issue commands in harmony with the spirit of, such laws as do exist. The reading of q^{2}, μὴ πειθομένους, recommended by Herwerden, gives a poor, if not actually an erroneous, meaning. ὁμοφυεῖς. See on 456 B.
The Republic of Plato. James Adam. 1902. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.
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